Wisconsin bear hunters should be aware that bear management zones remain unchanged for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

The DNR Bear Advisory Committee developed the Wisconsin Black Bear Management Plan 2019-2029, and the Natural Resources Board approved it in May. New management zones defined in the plan are scheduled to go into effect in 2021.

The plan provides a concise and informative overview of black bear ecology and management in Wisconsin and includes goals and objectives that will guide bear management over the next decade.

Of interest to hunters, the plan recommends new Bear Management Zone boundaries, which are designed to better address issues with agricultural damage and allow a more flexible approach to managing bears in the central and southern portions of the state.

Those interested in learning more about the proposed boundary changes are encouraged to review the Wisconsin Black Bear Management Plan for more information.

For more about bear hunting in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "bear."

A record 12,970 permits were issued for the 2018 bear hunting season.(Photo: Courtesy of Catherine Khalar)

• A learn to trap/trapper education program will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 11 and 8 a.m. until dusk Oct. 12 at 20021 County Road JJ, Reedsville (Collins Marsh nature center), and Oct. 13 plans will be made the previous day for a start time until 4 p.m. at Trapper Dan’s fur shed, 4120 S. 21st St., Manitowoc. To register, text Dan Cichantek at 920-901-9449 or email at trapperdanc@yahoo.com.

• Maribel Sportsmen’s Club will host a pair of concealed carry courses on Sept. 28 and then again on Oct. 26. Whichever course you choose, it will run from 8 a.m. until noon. Pre-registration is required by calling Dave Allen at 920-445-1003 or by emailing utacllc@gmail.com.

Divisions include men, women, juniors (13 to 17 years), cubs (12 and younger). Crossbow shooters are welcome — no restrictions on age or equipment — and will shoot the same course as bow shooters. This is not a ATV or golf cart accessible course.

Registration on Sept. 7 is from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Shooting fees are $10 for adults and $5 for juniors and cubs. Free camping, food and refreshments will be available.

For more information, call Pat at 920-323-2216, Tami at 920-242-1130 or Jon at 920-973-8042.

Rules: One arrow per target, score 12-10-8-5-0. Field or target points only. All unmarked distances, and no range finders or distance measuring methods allowed.

• The Great Lakes and its fish populations face threats of climate change, warming temperatures and lake level rise. July was the hottest month in recorded history and tied the record for the highest water level in Lake Michigan.

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has a team of freshwater researchers investigating urban and migratory fish to help answer questions about the aquatic resources in our region, but can only capture a sliver of the Great Lakes’ fish populations in this ever-changing ecosystem. So, we’re calling for help. Shedd Aquarium needs the help of anglers and boaters who can download the Great Lakes Fish Finder app to catalog fish sightings and catches. This crucial data will assist Shedd researchers in tracking native and invasive species’ locations in the lakes and inform management strategies for the fish, preserving the health of the lakes that we all love to enjoy.

The Great Lakes Fish Finder app was created by the research team at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago in partnership with iNaturalist with the intent to learn more about our local freshwater ecosystems. To use the app, just post a photo of a fish you see or catch in the Great Lakes and a Shedd researcher will confirm or help identify the species. With these sightings and locations recorded, the app serves as a historical catalog that helps the scientific community understand the biodiversity of Great Lakes fish populations.

• The wait is almost over to get back out on the marsh. Sept. 1 marks the opener for Wisconsin's mourning dove, early teal and early Canada goose hunting seasons.

Canada goose hunting begins with the early season Sept. 1-15, with a daily bag limit of five geese during this time. This early season targets locally breeding geese with a higher daily bag limit, before the arrival of migrating geese from Canada.

During the early goose season, regulations apply statewide, with no zone-specific regulations.

The early teal season will run Sept. 1-9, with a daily bag limit of six teal. Shooting hours for the early teal season are sunrise to sunset (see page 28 in Migratory Bird Regulations).

Early teal season hunters are, at minimum, required to purchase the following licenses and permits: small game license; federal duck stamp; state duck stamp; and HIP registration.

The duck identification quiz found at dnr.wi.gov, keyword "waterfowl," gives hunters an opportunity to brush up on duck identification before the early season.

While the early teal season is offered statewide, some state-owned properties have special waterfowl hunting limitations. For example, Mead Wildlife Area does not allow waterfowl hunting before the regular duck season, and Lake Mills Wildlife Area (Zeloski Marsh) has unique shooting hour restrictions. Contact a local wildlife biologist or consult the 2019 Migratory Bird Regulations for a list of areas with additional requirements or limitations.

To view a full list of waterfowl hunting seasons and the 2019 Migratory Game Bird Regulations, search keyword "waterfowl."

In 2019, the mourning dove hunting season will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 29. This season structure is identical to 2018. The daily bag limit is 15 doves, and possession limits for doves are three times the daily bag limit.

• The Manitowoc Unit of Manitowoc County Fish & Game announced its September meeting will be held at Lincoln Park, Cabin No. 1, at 7 p.m. Sept. 5.

The organization works to promote and protect the rights of sporting men and women in the county through a variety of projects and education programming.

Guest speaker for the meeting will be Jim Knickelbine from Woodland Dunes Nature Center in Two Rivers. He will share information with the group on invasive plant species in the area woodlands. There have been a number of projects in Manitowoc County to control the spread of these plants that can often overtake native species. There will be a chance for questions and discussion.

Trick roper Javier Escamilla performs at the rodeo during the Manitowoc County Fair Saturday, August 24, 2019, in Manitowoc, Wis. Escamilla holds the current Guinness record for lasso Texas skips. Joshua Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Courtney Smith takes her horse around the barrels during the barrel racing at the grandstand Saturday, August 24, 2019, at the Manitowoc County Fair in Manitowoc, Wis. Joshua Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin